Caro-Kann: Short System 5.Be2 is variation 5 of 6 in the The Advance against the French and Caro-Kann course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO B12). It runs 21 moves and begins 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 …. White plays a quiet Nf3 and Be2, castles, and waits for Black to strike with ...c5. After the trade on d4 the white knight stands well there. White then grows the centre with pawns on d4, e5 and f4. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... c6 – The Caro-Kann Defence. Black prepares to hit e4 with the d-pawn.
2. d4 – White builds a big centre.
2... d5 – Black attacks e4.
3. e5 – The Advance Variation. White grabs space on the kingside.
3... Bf5 – The main move. The bishop comes out before the e-pawn locks it in.
4. Nf3 – The Short System. White develops quietly and gets ready to castle.
4... e6 – Black builds a solid pawn chain.
5. Be2 – White develops and castles next. The play is calm and safe.
5... c5 – Black hits the base of White's chain. This is Black's main plan.
6. Be3 – The bishop guards d4. White does not mind a trade on d4.
6... cxd4 – Black trades at once. This is the safest choice.
7. Nxd4 – White takes back with the knight. It stands well in the centre and eyes f5.
7... Ne7 – The knight heads for c6 to hit d4.
8. O-O – White castles before anything else.
8... Nbc6 – Black attacks the d4 knight.
The lesson goes on for 5 more moves, each with its explanation.
More in The Advance against the French and Caro-Kann
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